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of the fabric, as shown in the bottom drawing on the facing page. I sew the underarm seam from one end to the other and press seam allowances open. Then I turn the sleeve right side out over the lining, sandwiching the seam allowances between them. This produces a sleeve with no raw edges on the inside. Trim the tiny sleeves with lace, per- haps using beading and a ribbon to gather the sleeve at the wrist or upper arm. This is easier to adjust, as baby gets chubbier, than elastic would be. My favorite slip and the extras 'l'he Little Vogue pattern I often use (No. 2878) includes a slip, but some patterns don't. You can modify your gown pattern by cutting the front and back neck edges % in. lower and adding ribbon ties to close the back, making a slip that can be used as sleepwear long after the christening. I often make the slip so the lace on the bottom shows below the hem of the gown. The other laces and trims on the slip will rarely be seen but will add to Making an heirloom bonnet 1. Butt and sew trims together to make a 14-in. by 9 -in. rectangle. Cut lining the same size. 2. Fold in hair' stitch lower back as shown. 3. Thread 28 in. of %-in. double-faced satin ribbon through beading. ::,ea"�h lli2 in. -I � l'i2 in. December 1991/ Janu ary 1992 the lavishness of the outfit. To complete the christening outfit, trim a 45-in. square of batiste or satin with ribbons and lace Make fabric from lace as shown below, and use it for a fancy bonnet. to Storage and care ,;,"' ( 4. After the christening, you'll want to preserve your heirloom gown for the next generation. Before storing, be sure to remove all soil. Use a mild soap and warm water to clean any spots. Hold a clean, dry cloth under the garment while dabbing the right side with a cloth dipped in soapy water. When the soap has removed the stain, replace the under·doth with a dry one and rinse by dabbing with clear water. If the gown is heavily soiled, you may want to hand wash it. Use a gentle soap like Ivory flakes, and rinse thoroughly. Lay the garment flat and allow it to dry completely before storing. The delicate fabrics and laces may not stand up to drip drying or tumbling in a machine. Mary Lou OdIe, Kansas State Univers- hints make a blanket. ity Salina County Extension Agent, suggests that you store your gown in a cardboard box large enough to hold it without folding. Line the box with freshly washed unbleached muslin and wrap the gown in muslin or acid-free tissue paper, making sure the gown does not touch any part of the box. Store the box in a cool, dry storage room. Once a year, take the gown out of the box and check carefully for any damage. If you had to fold the gown to fit the box, rearrange the folds every year to avoid yellowing and weakening of the fabric on the crease lines. Wash and dry the muslin thoroughly, rewrap the gown, and store it away carefully for another year. Mary Ellen McKee of Salina, Kansas, makes her christening gowns and robes whi�e �istening to music in her �oft studio. For information about specia� orders and custom"InUde materia� kits which are tai�ored to individua� taste, call her at (913) 823-7659, or write to Mary El�en at 15RedFoxLa., Sa�ina, KS Ribbon roses Accordi n shaped folds o Drawu bonnet Sew ribbon roses and 18-in. ties to front corners. - 2. Holding last two folds, pull inner end to form rose. � 3. Take two or three stitches through center to secure rose. § it -.:: £' I!! j <) " � � � i o � 59 67401. D 1. Alternating ends, fold ribbon back and forth on top of itself 15 to 20 times, keeping ends ata 90° angle.